Carbamazepine in the treatment of cocaine dependence: subtyping by affective disorder.

Author(s): Brady KT, Sonne SC, Malcolm RJ, Randall CL, Dansky BS, Simpson K, Roberts JS, Brondino M

Affiliation(s): Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Carolina 29401, USA. bradyk@musc.edu

Publication date & source: 2002-08, Exp Clin Psychopharmacol., 10(3):276-85.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial

Studies investigating carbamazepine (CBZ) in the treatment of cocaine dependence have been inconsistent. In this study, cocaine-dependent individuals with (n = 57) and without (n = 82) affective disorder were compared in a 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Urine drug screens (UDS) and self-report of drug use were collected weekly. Affective symptoms were measured monthly. Subjects receiving CBZ attended more medication sessions (p = .03). The CBZ-treated affective group had a trend toward fewer cocaine-positive UDS (p = .08) and a significantly longer time to first cocaine use (p = .06). CBZ treatment did not have any impact on cocaine use in individuals without affective disorders.